Nathan Strout

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Save Our Shrimpers (SOS) Act, legislation that directs U.S. representatives at international monetary institutions to oppose funding for foreign shrimp aquaculture and processing. "For far too long, foreign shrimp has flooded our markets while U.S. tax dollars have been used to subsidize overseas shrimp operations, which are putting our domestic shrimpers out of business,” U.S. Representative… Read More

A group of conservation organizations have filed a request to defend vessel speed limits designed to protect North Atlantic right whales from a legal challenge, questioning U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration’s willingness to fully defend the regulation in court. “With lawmakers and the Trump administration trying to delay right whale safeguards for another decade, preserving the Vessel Speed Rule is more important than ever,”… Read More

A coalition of conservation groups called on Spain’s government to ensure marine protected areas (MPAs) are being safeguarded, requesting additional funding, better fisheries management, and the establishment of pending fisheries-interest marine reserves. The groups told the Spanish Secretariat‑General for Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) that management plans for MPAs have been regularly delayed, with… Read More

An Ocala, Florida, U.S.A. commercial fisherman was sentenced to a month in jail, six months probation, and a USD 2,838 (EUR 2,410) fine after pleading guilty to nearly two dozen lobster-related violations. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers arrested then 51-year-old Raidel Alvarez Perez during an inspection of a commercial fishing vessel near Sand Key Lighthouse in Boca Grande on 22 March 2025. The officers found… Read More

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition brought by Alaska commercial fishers challenging federal management of the Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) salmon fishery. The lawsuit was the latest attempt by commercial set net and drift net fishing groups in the region to force the federal government to take an active role in managing the salmon fishery instead of deferring to state managers, which has resulted in the closure of commercial fishing… Read More

A group of European Union and Mediterranean countries have agreed to develop and adopt a new MedFish4Ever Declaration in 2027 to guide efforts on rebuilding Mediterranean fish stocks. “A decade after adopting the #MedFish4Ever Declaration, we are evaluating its progress and agreeing on a common path ahead to safeguard fisheries in the Mediterranean. This will pave the way toward an updated Declaration in 2027,” E.U. Commissioner for… Read More

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has approved exempted fishing permits (EFP) for the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, giving them the authority to manage the recreational red snapper fisheries in federal waters off their respective coastlines. While state officials have welcomed the announcement as an opportunity to expand severely limited recreational red snapper seasons, commercial fishers and… Read More

Just over two months after it was approved by the state legislature, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed a bill requiring clear labeling of imported shrimp into law. “The enactment of HB 117 is a huge victory for Georgia shrimpers, who organized an effective grassroots campaign to ensure that consumers have the ability to choose U.S. wild-caught shrimp when they dine out,” Southern Shrimp Alliance Director Blake Price said in a… Read More

NOAA has announced the purchase of eight new uncrewed marine systems for USD 21.6 million (EUR 18.3 million), which the agency claims will support charting, mapping, and fisheries surveys. "Uncrewed systems provide more efficiency in data collection, ensuring that our nation remains at the forefront of scientific innovation,” NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said. “The administration’s focus on integrating emerging technologies into agency… Read More

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 41 percent budget cut to NOAA Fisheries, which includes the removal of effectively all protected species and habitat conservation functions. “Funding cuts for NOAA could not come at a worse time when you consider just how vulnerable American fisheries and fishermen are right now,” Jeff Watters, vice president of external affairs at NGO Ocean Conservancy, said in a release.… Read More